Introducer Mount for Surgical Navigation Probe Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical retractor systems face challenges in precise movement and visualization during procedures, particularly when using computerized guidance systems, due to imprecise movement and lack of visual feedback, which can lead to tissue damage and complications.
Innovation Solution
A delicate tissue retraction system that includes a retractor and introducer with a secure clamp mechanism and registration indicator to hold a navigation probe in place, ensuring proper alignment and visualization, allowing for precise tissue manipulation and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a navigation probe is used with a surgical retractor system, then surgical guidance precision is improved, but the complexity of the system increases due to the need for secure mounting and alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the navigation probe mounting function directly into the introducer assembly by integrating a clamp mechanism and registration indicator. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting devices and simplifies the overall system while maintaining precise navigation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the surgical introducer and the navigation probe mounting device. The clamp mechanism and registration indicator are integrated into this single component, allowing it to perform both patient introduction and precise navigation guidance functions simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of the retractor is used during surgery, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of visual feedback and imprecise movement control
Solution Approach 1:
The registration indicator provides visual feedback to the surgeon during manual manipulation of the retractor system. This indicator allows the surgeon to see the position and orientation of the navigation probe relative to the introducer, enabling precise manual control with visual confirmation of positioning accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If additional guidance mechanisms are added to the retractor system, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism and registration indicator are merged into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the introducer. This combination provides both secure mounting and alignment indication functions through one integrated component rather than separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise alignment capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A delicate tissue retraction system for use with a navigation probe having a probe shaft and a probe tip at a distal end of the probe shaft. The delicate tissue retraction system includes a retractor and an introducer that is removably installed within the retractor. The introducer has a wall forming a hollow channel extending from a proximal introducer end to a distal introducer end. A mount is integrally formed with the introducer and extends from the distal introducer end into the channel. The mount is positioned to surround the probe tip when the navigation probe is at a fully inserted position within the introducer with the probe tip at the distal introducer end.